Digital data entry device

ABSTRACT

Format charts are used to direct the manual entry of digital data into record cards such as sense-mark cards that are processed in an automatic data processor. The format charts have parallel indexing lines that define different combinations of the sense-mark data columns, as well as means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each of the combinations of columns. The charts are linked as a string of sequential charts, and a mechanism is provided for moving the format charts and positioning them one at a time with their indexing means adjacent to and in parallel relation to the columns of the sense-mark cards, so that the various combinations of columns are visually related to the format identifications of data classes and data may be manually entered in a sequence of the cards.

United States Patent Nodine [451 Dec. 19, 1972 [541 DIGITAL DATA ENTRY DEVICE [72] inventor: John H. Nodine, 523 Richards Road, Wayne, Pa. 19087 221 Filer 1:" July 31,1969

1211 Appl. No.: 846,383

[52] US. Cl. ..'.235/6l.l, 83/522, 225/93 [51] Int. Cl. .........B26d 7/28, G0 6k 1/06, G061: l/l4 [58] Field of Search .'.....235/6l.l; 35/5, 48; 234/2,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1968 Spinner et a1. .....225/93 7/1965 Hunt ..235/61.1 3/1952 Hobbs et al 035/48 R LEGEND YZ LEGEND XY Primary Examiner-Daryl W.- Cook Assistant ExaminerThomas J. Sloyan Attorney-Morton C. Jacobs 1571 ABSTRACT Format charts are used to direct the manualentry of digital data into record cards such as sense-mark cards that are processed -in an automatic data processor. The format charts have parallel indexing lines that define different combinations of the sense-mark data columns, as well as means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each of the combinations of columns. The charts are linked as a string of sequential charts, anda mechanism is provided for moving the format charts and positioning them one at a time with their indexing means adjacent to and in parallel relation to the columns of the sense-mark cards, so that the various combinations of columns are visually related to the format identifications of data classes and data may be manually entered in a sequence of the cards.

3 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTED I972 3.706.873

SHEET 1 OF 4 LEGEND V2 v LEGEND xYZ W ATMAIVEK I 1 DIGITAL DATA ENTRYDEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to' systems for manually recording digital data in a form suitable for use with automatic data processing equipment.

' The basic preparation by people of datain a form suitable for entry into an automatic data processor such as the electronic digital computer may take a number of forms. For example, original data (derived from business, medical or scientific observations) is recorded by the human observer, and from the recordings clerks may make transcriptions to special forms used in the preparation of punch (or tabulating) cards. Skilled key punch operators operate punch card equipment for preparing the punch cards from the special forms. In this common procedure the data passes through three separate human steps, and often through three different people in order to place it in a machinereadable form suitable for computer input. The possibility of introducing errors increases with each human operation and operator, and in addition, the costs are multiplied as well as time lost in placing the data in a form suitable for processing by a high speed machine.

Various forms of machine-readable data cards have been developed whereby a human operator may enter some or all of the data manually in the card by means of a manual punch or by means of a sense mark made with an electrically conductive pencil. Such. cards may be in the form and size of a convention machine-readable punch card, such as-the 80-column card, and may contain decimal characters arranged in a number of columns akin to the 80-column format; but fewer columns, each larger in size, are used so that the column is convenient for manual data entry. The data is entered by making a sense mark at the printed decimal character desired for each column, or by punching out a scored section of the card for such number. These cards may then be used with available equipment for automatic transcription to a fonn suitable for entry into a computer. That is, equipment is available for reading such cards and transcribing them, for example, into the 80-column cards or recording counterpart electronic signals directly upon digital magnetic tape.

In order to provide reliable entry of data, the column designation of the cards must be clear. To this end, a

v chart of labels or-designations for each column or different combinations of columns may be provided. One system devised by applicant employing such a procedure is described in his paper, Application of Computer Methodology in Clinical Pharmacology," published in Clinical Pharmacology of October 1967; in that system various types of formats are used for the direct entry, by an examining physician, of the clinical observations and measurements of a patient onto sense-mark cards.

Where a variety of data in a large quantity is to be recorded by an observer directly onto sense-mark cards or the like, astructured recording system is needed.

I The difi'erent classes of data should be clearly and reliably defined, and recording formats so constructed that they may be placed in juxtaposition to the cards so that the various columns and the combinations of columnsare clearly specified to the person recording the data. It is also desirable that changes in format be quickly made in order that the data can be manually observer.

entered the cards as quickly as it is developed by the SUMMARY oF-rma INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved system for manually recording digital data in a form suitable for use withautomatic data processing equipment.

Another object is to provide anew and improved system for manuallyrecording digital data employingcards, as well as means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each combination of columns. The charts are linked as a string of sequential charts, and'a mechanism moves the string of format charts and positions them one at a time with the indexing lines adjacent and in parallel relation to the columns of the sense-mark cards. Thereby, the operator is provided with a clear definition of the particular columns fonning each combination for a particular data entry, as well as the class of data to be entered therein, so that the data can be manually entered in a reliable and rapid fashion as the observations developing the data are performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.

The foregoing and other objects of this-invention, the various features thereof, as well asthe invention itself, may be more fully understood from the following description when read together with the accompanying" drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view with a movable part shown in dot-dash lines of a digital data entry apparatus embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. .1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the dotdash portions of line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in thedirection of the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view within the areaof the circulararrow of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a top view with parts cut away of a modified form of digital data entry apparatus embodying this invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the. line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along the line 12-12 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a base member portion in FIG. 12.

In the drawing, corresponding parts are referenced by similar numerals.

The data entry apparatus of FIGS. 1-8 includes a generally rectangular housing 12 formed in two general sections 14 and 16 respectively associated with a data card 18 and a format chart 20. Various materials such as molded plastic may be used for the housing structures. The card section 14 includes a rectangular storage bin 22 on the right side for storing a stack of data cards on edge in upright position, where they may be picked up easily, one at a time, and moved over face up in horizontal position onto the recording table 24 (as indicated by the arrow 23 in FIG. 4). The latter is formed as a rectangular recess in the horizontal outer face of the top wall 27 of the housing 12; the table recess 24 is dimensioned to receive a card snugly and thereby hold it in a clearly defined position referenced by two transverse edges 25 and 26 thereof. The recess 24 may also have a filled-in corner 28 to mate with the cut-off corner customarily used on data cards and thereby provide a reliable index for orienting the cards.

The card 18 is picked up from the table recess 24 by means of a finger groove 30 in the wall 27 extending under a card 18. When picked up, a card is dropped in a slot 32 between the table recess 24 and the bin 22 (as indicated by the arrow 34 in FIG. 4). The card, when dropped in the slot, slides down into an enclosed rectangular storage box 36 located directly under the table wall 27 and formed by a floor 38, side walls 40 and 42, and end walls 44 and 46 that form the outer end walls of the housing.

Wall 44 has a large opening 48, and floor 38 has a finger opening 49 for removal of a stack of cards from the box 36. The slot 32 is a narrow passage between downward projection 50 formed along the right side of wall 27 and an inclined web 52 between the storage box 36 and bin 22. The web 52 acts as a chute for guiding a dropped card into box 36, and the latter is so dimensioned and the card so constrained by slot 32 that the cards are automatically guided into a neat stack, right side up. The web 52 also has a finger groove 54 aligned with groove 30 for access across slot 32 to the card in table recess 24.

The chart side 16 of the housing 12 is also a rectangular box structure with a floor 56, end walls 58, 60 and a hinged door 62 that forms a side wall opposite wall 40. A spring 64 with projecting detect button engages in a recess in wall 58 and retains the door in its nor mally closed position. The chart section 16 extends beyond either side of the card table and a pair of sprocket rollers 66, 68 are rotatably mounted in the extensions on separate cantilever pins 70, 72 that project at right angles from inside wall 40 and that may be integrally formed with that wall. A knurled nut 74 engages with the free threaded end 76 of each pin 70 and 72 to retain the sprocket rollers thereon. Adjacent the floor 56 and therealong, a series of spaced, headed bearing pins 78 (FIG. 3) project cantilever fashion at right angles from the inside wall 40. A similar series of headed bearing pins 80 project from wall 40 along the top of chart section 16; the pins 80 are similarly spaced and located opposite intermediate points that are between the pins 78.

A closed-loop belt 82 with spaced sprocket holes 84 along each edge, for engaging the sprocket pins on rollers 66 and 68, is mounted on the sprocket rollers and interleaved between the bearing pins 78 and 80. The belt passes alternately between the pins 78 and 80 to form a series of convolutions and maintain a substantial length of belt 82 under tension. The pins 78 and 80 may be formed of a low-friction material (e.g. teflon) to provide a smooth surface for the sliding belt 82 as it is reeled by the sprocket rollers 66 and 68. g

The belt 82 is formed of a thin material, such as paper or plastic, and printed on its outer face is a series of format charts 20 that are positioned within a window 88 in the top wall 90. The window is framed along three sides by chamfered surfaces 92, and along the fourth by a square surface 94 that orients the chart 20 in parallel relation to the card 18 positioned by parallel surface 25. Along the neck 96 of the top wall between the chart 20 and card 18 are a series of uniformly spaced index lines 98, one for each card column, and aligned with column lines 100 on each card as well as similar lines 102 on the format charts. Thereby, the format lines 102 are visually connected to the column lines 100 of the cards 18.

Along the right edge of each format chart, all the columns are indexed and numbered in sequence to correspond to a similar arrangement along the left side of each card. In addition, each item of data made up of one or morev decimal digits (or other types of digits) is bracketed by longer lines 104 extending across the format chart. Between the bracketing lines, a printed legend defines the class of data, and the columns within each class are identified and separately referenced alphabetically along the left edge of the chart with printed directions that direct the proper entry of a multi-digit number in the corresponding card solumns.

The chart window 88 is the same length as a card 18, and successive charts are printed on the belt 82, each immediately following the preceding one. The reeling of the belt is performed via the sprocket rollers 66 and 68. At the outer end of each roller and fixed thereto is an additional wheel 106 of sprocket pins 108 (FIG. 4). A closed loop 1 10 of relatively inelastic material is connected between the wheels 106. The loop has sprocket holes 112 (FIGS. 1 and 7) uniformly spaced to mesh with the sprocket pins 108, and these holes extend in a line under a slit 114 in the top wall 90. A drive pin 116 extends through the slit and is depressible against the bias of a surrounding spring 118 that is retained between a mounting plate 120 and a shoulder 122. The mounting plate 120 and a similar plate 124 are connected together above and below top wall 90 by pins 126 and 128 that pass through the slit 114.

The inside end 130 of drive pin 116 is normally positioned (by the spring 1 l8 and a shoulder 132 on the pin that sits against mounting plate 124) out of engagement with the sprocket hole in loop 110. The pin normally sits at either extreme end of slit 114. When the pin 116 is depressed, its end 130 seats in a sprocket hole 112, and the pin can be slid along the slit (as indicated by phantom pin 116a in FIG. 3) to drive the loop 110 with it. When the pin is driven to the other end of the slit, it moves a distance corresponding to the length of a format chart. The attendant movement of loop 1 10 rotates the sprocket wheels 106 and the integral rollers 66 and 68, which results in the chart belt 82 being driven a COT.

responding distance to move the adjacent chart into position in the window 88.

The drive pin 116 can operate the drive loop 110 in such as the boxes 134 to identify certain data relating to the observations; for example, thedate, the particular observation, transaction or patient being recorded,

as well as the particular class of data corresponding to a particular format chart.'The data in the boxes 134 may be visually compared with the data in similar boxes 136 on each format chart, in order to insure that the correct card is being used with any particular format chart. These cards 18 are stacked in sequential order corresponding to a sequence of format charts, and placed in the bin 22 so that they may be removed one at a time in the correct sequence.

At any point in the recording of data, the nextcard 18 in sequence is removed fro'mthebin 22 and placed 4, in the table recess 24 .(as indicated by the arrow 23,

FIG. 4).The drive pin 116 is depressed to engage the drive loop 110 and, pushing down on that pin along the slit 114, the loop is actuated .to drive the format belt a predetermined length to place the next format chart in the window 88. The pin 116 is then released, and at that time may be restored out of engagement with the loop'110 and at the upper end of the slit 114.

The observer recording the data proceeds step by step with each combination of columns bracketed by theindex lines 104 on the format to enter the corresponding' data'on the next adjacent card 18. The legend sets forth the character of the observations to be made, alphabetic symbolsv (e. g. Y Z or W, X, Y, Z)

" identify the columns inwhich the data is entered, and

whether the numeric entry is based on a decimal range or binary, ternary, or quaternary, which may vary for each particular class of observations. In addition, the

location of the decimal point, if any, to identify the precision of measurement is also indicated by the alphabetic columnar designations. Step by step, each class of data is observed and entered directly on the card "18 in accordance with the aligned legends and designations in the corresponding combination of columns of format chart 20. When the data for the entire format has been recorded on the card 18, that card may be lifted from the table recess 24 by the operator inserting his finger thereunder, through the grooves 30 and 54. The lifted card is then dropped through the passage 32 and the correct sequence of cards is maintained in the storage box 36. The next card 18 is picked up from a storage bin 22 and placed in table recess 24, and the next format chart 20 is moved into position as described above, and the recording process is repeated. When a complete stack of cards has been recorded, they may be removed from the storage box 36-merely by the operator inserting his finger in the opening 49 The belt 82 is suitable for about ten format charts.

Thus when the operator has run through the complete cycle of charts, a particular set of observations is complete and recorded, and the same cycle of observations may then be repeated for another patient, transactiomcustomer, or other item. In this fashion a particular belt 82 of format charts may be used repeatedly to-direct the recording-of a large quantity of data for many different items. Thus the same blank card may be used to record all of the varied data for a particular set of format charts, enabling complete sequences of original observations to be made and recorded in-machine-readable form without additional intermediary human steps. Thereby the costs and time of supplying machine-readable data for data processors can be substantially reduced, and with the elimination of human operations a consequent reduction in data errors can be expected. V

The replacement of one format belt 82 with. another may be readily performed. The knurled nuts 74 are removed from the ends 76 of the sprocket shafts and 72, the rollers 66 and 68 are moved out a short distance, and the belt 82 pulled over the heads of the bearing pins 78 and 80. The belt 82 is slid off the bearing pins 78 and 80 as the sprocket rollers 66 and 68 are removed from their respective shafts 70 and 72. With the format belt removed from the enclosure box, it is unhooked from the sprocket rollers; a'differ'ent belt may then replace the previous-one. The rollers are placed on the ends of their respective shafts 70 and 72, the belt 82 is threaded on the bearing pins 78 and 8i), and thereupon the belt and rollers are pushed down over the bearing pins and roller pins until the belt is fully seated. Thereafter the unit may be operated and data recorded in the manner described above.

Where a large number of format charts (e. g. 50 or are needed for directing-the recording of a mass of varied data, the charts are preferably arranged for storage on a reel. One suitable arrangement embodying this invention is shown in FIGS. 9-13. Parts corresponding to those previously described are referenced by the same numerals with the addition of a prime The card section 14 may be generally the same as that of the above-described embodiment, both in construction and operation.

The format-chart section 16' is a rectangular box structure adjacent to and integral with the card section; alternatively the two sections may be separately formed and attached together. The housing for the chart section 16' includes the common inside wall 40 and the base of a reeling frame 142. A side member 144 of the latter is attached to the wall 40' or its extensions by suitable threaded fasteners 146, or the like. The two end walls and the top and side walls are formed as an integral shell with detent recesses 152 and 154 at certain edges that snap into engagement with detent projections on extensions 156 and 158 of the base 140 (FIGS. 12 and 13) and inside wall 40' (FIG. 10).

The frame 140 (FIG. 13) is constructed in the form of an inverted yoke, in which side 144 has apertured bifurcated ends 160, 161; and the other side 162 has similar bifurcations 163, 164. The sprocket rollers 66' and 68' are mounted rotatably on axles 165 and 166 l060ll 0188 and assembled between the pairs of corresponding bifurcations 161 and 163 and 160 and 164, respectively. The drive loop 110 is connected to the sprocket rollers and operated in the manner described above.

The reeling frame 140 also includes a pair of upstanding spring arms 167, 168 through which pass movable pins 169, 170, respectively, each of which engages and supports a reel drum 171 or 172 at one side thereof. A fixed pin 173 or 174 projecting inwardly from the yoke side 144 rotatably supports the other side of the reel drum 171 or 172. Each reel is slotted (FIG. 11) at its hub to receive the end of a tape 176 bearing a series of format charts. The tape 176 passes from one reel 171 to the adjacent sprocket roller 66' under the window 88', where the format chart 20 is exhibited, to the other roller 68' and down to the other reel 172.

The pins 169 and 170 have laterally extending shoulders 178 for lateral support of the reels, and a detent 180 projecting inwardly from the shoulder engages in a recess in a side of the reel so that the pin rotates with the reel. The pins also have knurled heads 182 at the other end for manipulating the pins. The latter also have another lateral shoulder 184 against which a coiled spring 186 bears, the other end of which rests against yoke side 162 so that the pins are normally biased into engagement with the reel drums.

The pins are rotatably supported by the yoke side 162 as well as by the upstanding arms 167 and 168. Also rotatably mounted on each pin 169 and 170 is a pulley 187 and 188, respectively. A wrap spring clutch 190 is mounted within an enlarged circular recess in the hub of each pulley 187 and 188 and releasably couples the pulley body to the pin 169 and 170, respectively. The spring clutch for pulley 187 engages with pin 169 upon clockwise rotation thereof (and slips upon counterclockwise rotation); the clutch for pulley 188 and pin 170 engages upon counterclockwise rotation (and slips upon clockwise rotation). A spring belt (e. g. rubber or coiled spring) 191 and 192 around the pulley 187 and 188, respectively, is connected to and around a pulley 193 and 194 on the outer ends of the rollers 66' and 68'. v

The reeling operation to change the operative format chart exhibited in the window 88 is controlled by operating drive pin 116 to actuate the drive loop 110 and thereby the sprocket rollers 66' and 68 and the tape 176 looped therearound. The drive pin 116', actuated from the upper position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12 to the lower position, drives the format tape 176 downwards and unreels it from drum 172. The spring clutch 190 for pulley 188 coupled to the latter drum 172 slips in that direction of reel rotation (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12) and reel 172 rotates to supply the required length of tape. The driven rotation of sprocket roller 66 is transmitted via its pulley 193 to the spring belt 191 and pulley 187. The clockwise rotation of the latter wraps up the clutch 190 to complete the coupling via pin 169 to takeup reel 171. A slight overdrive of the take-up reel at the minimum diameter of tape thereon ensures proper reeling of the tape; the overdrive increases with increasing diameter. Disparity of drive of the take-up reel and supply of tape is accommodated by slippage of the coupling belt. The operation is fully reversible due to the general symmetry of construction; either reel can function as take-up and supply reel, in the manner described. in other respects, the operation is the same as that described for the closed-loop belt embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, whereby for each stroke of drive pin 116' in either direction the next format chart is moved into operative position in the window 88'.

The format charts may also be printed as a stack of fan-folded sheets that are reeled out of a storage bin by sprocket rollers such as those described in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8. In such printed forms, each sheet may combine the format chart and a paper copy of the card which is to be superimposed with a sense-mark card, either one above the other. By suitable known carbon-copy techniques (e. g. either the card or the paper is carboned), the printed sheet and the record card simultaneously are marked; the sheet becomes a file copy of the record card, and the latter is used as machine-readable input. Various card picker and feed mechanisms are known'in the art so that the record cards can be mechanically supplied to the recording table in the proper sequence. In addition, the various mechanisms can be motor driven, and suitable techniques are known in the art for providing selectorswitch control of the format-tape mechanisms so that any desired format tape may be selected and automatically positioned in operative position. Various other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Thus, in accordance with this invention, a new and improved digital data entry system and apparatus is provided. Data for automatic handling by data processing equipment can be prepared economically by human operators at the source of the data and without the intervention of other operators. Thereby, standard machine-readable record cards may be used for manual data entry, and standardized techniques and relatively simple apparatus embodying this invention may be employed for recording any of a wide variety and complexity of data directly on those cards. With the data entry techniques standardized as described above, for relatively low cost operation small businesses and other small potential users of digital computers are in a position to more fully utilize such apparatus. Any business or scientific establishment or computer center can use the apparatus of this invention for preparing record cards for both simple and complex data and for obtaining reliable machine-readable records from a multiplicity of sources of different types with but a single type of record card. Each area of original observation needs only a limited number of format charts which can be conveniently modified or augmented from a simple basic form; the format-chart apparatus of this invention, together with a set of blank cards, enables the human observer to record his observations by hand but in a machine-readable form. Where data entry devices are used that include a keyboard of columnar push buttons, this format-chart apparatus permits direct entry of observation data for recording on magnetic tape or for otherwise directly inserting in a computer.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for manually entering digital data in each of a plurality of discrete digital data entry devices, each having a plurality of uniformly arranged parallel columns of potential data locations for the manual entry of digital data elements adapted for actuating an automatic data processor, said system comprising:

means for establishing a device reference line along which all of the columns of each of said data entry devices are indexed for sequential relationship;

a plurality of format charts each having a plurality of parallel index means for defining different combinations of successive ones of said columns and having means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each of said combinations of columns;

means for ordering said charts in a predetermined sequence and for positioning said charts one at a time in a certain relation to said device reference line and in a parallel, coplanar relation to one data entry device at said line and with said chart index means adjacent to and in parallel relation to the columns of said data entry devices so that said format identifying means are visually related to the associated ones of said columns of potential data locations; said chart ordering and positioning means including means linking said charts as a continuous string of charts, and means for moving said string of charts to sequentially position the charts adjacent to said data entry devices; whereby reliable manual entry of data in a sequence of devices is facilitated in any of a plurality of formats corresponding to the plurality of format charts.

2. A data entry system as recited in claim 1 wherein said digital data entry devices include data record cards; and said reference-line establishing means includes table means for supporting said record cards in a predetermined location and orientation.

3. A system for manually entering digital data in each of a plurality of discrete digital data record cards, each having a plurality of uniformly arranged parallel columns of potential data locations for the manual entry of digital data elements adapted for actuating an automatic data processor, said system comprising:

table means for supporting said record cards in a predetermined location and orientation with the columns of said cards indexed for sequential relationship; a plurality of format charts each having a plurality of parallel index means for defining different combinations of successive ones of said columns and having means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each of said combinations of columns;

means linking said charts in a predetermined sequence and for positioning said charts at said table means one at a time in parallel and coplanar juxtaposition to one of said cards with said cards with said chart index means adjacent to and in parallel relation to the card columns so that said format identifying means are visually related to the associated ones of said columns; whereby reliable manual entry of data in a sequence of cards is facilitated in any of a plurality of formats corresponding to the plurality of format charts.

1 a a a a a l060ll 0190 

1. A system for manually entering digital data in each of a plurality of discrete digital data entry devices, each having a plurality of uniformly arranged parallel columns of potential data locations for the manual entry of digital data elements adapted for actuating an automatic data processor, said system comprising: means for establishing a device reference line along which all of the columns of each of said data entry devices are indexed for sequential relationship; a plurality of format charts each having a plurality of parallel index means for defining different combinations of successive ones of said columns and having means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each of said combinations of columns; means for ordering said charts in a predetermined sequence and for positioning said charts one at a time in a certain relation to said device reference line and in a parallel, coplanar relation to one data entry device at said line and with said chart index means adjacent to and in parallel relation to the columns of said data entry devices so that said format identifying means are visually related to the associated ones of said columns of potential data locations; said chart ordering and positioning means including means linking said charts as a continuous string of charts, and means for moving said string of charts to sequentially position the charts adjacent to said data entry devices; whereby reliable manual entry of data in a sequence of devices is facilitated in any of a plurality of formats corresponding to the plurality of format charts.
 2. A data entry system as recited in claim 1 wherein said digital data entry devices include data record cards; and said reference-line establishing means includes table means for supporting said record cards in a predetermined location and orientation.
 3. A system for manually entering digital data in each of a plurality of discrete digital data record cards, each having a plurality of uniformly arranged parallel columns of potential data locations for the manual entry of digital data elements adapted for actuating an automatic data processor, said system comprising: table means for supporting said record cards in a predetermined location and orientation with the columns of said cards indexed for sequential relationship; a plurality of format charts each having a plurality of parallel index means for defining different combinations of successive ones of said columns and having means for identifying the class of data to be entered in each of said combinations of columns; means linking said charts in a predetermined sequence and for positioning said charts at said table means one at a time in parallel and coplanar juxtaposition to one of said cards with said cards with said chart index means adjacent to and in parallel relation to the card columns so that said format identifying means are visually related to the associated ones of said columns; whereby reliable manual entry of data in a sequence of cards is facilitated in any of a plurality of formats corresponding to the plurality of format charts. 